Archery Shot Cycle / Routine

STEPS OR NO STEPS. Traditionally we love to break down the shot cycle / routine into steps. It helps the coaching process by making presentations easier and possibly more systematic. However, some argue that breaking down the routine into steps ignores the fact that it is one motion and makes it lack smoothness.

Either ways got pros and cons when comes to coaching:

PRACTICAL CONSIDERSATIONS. Archery skill is fine and complex motor skill. It requires fine control and coordination. Considering its characteristics, I prefer breaking down the routine into steps while coaching. Breaking it down into steps allows me to monitor beginners' learning more easily and make it more standardized. It is also much preferred while coaching classes of large size. It is very common that a coach needs to handle 10 or more participants at the same time in the place I used to do coaching. It is necessary to explain key points and requirements of execution of shot in detail at an early stage of learning. It will not be practical to do individual corrections after archers build up bad habits as it will be extremely time consuming and difficult.

DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF STEPS. No matter which approach the coaching is going for, it is mandatory that the coach has a full understanding of the shot cycle / routine, especially the key points and requirements of execution of shot. When I learnt archery, I was taught 10 steps. It is not the only way of breaking down the routine into steps. Here are some variations found in different books and coaching resources:

The executions of shot are similar among the four versions of shot cycle above. However, details are quite different e.g. the sequence of different steps and the total number of steps varies. In the four versions of the shot cycle, steps with similar or same name might differ in requirements and execution details. Rhythm and breath cycle, which are not shown above, run through the whole shot cycle.

World Archery Lv1 Coaching Material divides the shot cycle / routine into three phases: preparatory movements, force production period and release & follow through. The three phases are not exactly separated by time as the preparation and force production phases are overlapped. The aim for preparation is to prepare the archer's mind and body for execution afterwards. Requirements include solid support, correct posture and motion e.g. solid connection with the bow through the grip pressure point, string grip and anchor references etc. Good preparation is mandatory for smooth execution of shots too. Force production means drawing the bow back and the execution of shot after full draw anchor e.g. expansion through the clicker. Release & follow through includes all the motions, attention focus, eye focus and keeping them till the end of shot. All the three phases must be connected in order to form the shot cycle as a whole.

Coach Lee proposes two positions while analyzing the skill in the book Total Archery, namely set position and set-up position. I try to understand the two positions as specific time points in the shot cycle, instead of being steps. Archers check the key points and requirements of execution at the two positions and prepare for the technique details afterwards.

Set position includes many steps of the shot cycle e.g. gripping (bow hand) and string hook, stance, and body posture etc. It requires action by both the bow arm and the draw arm in order to fix position and prepare for the movement afterwards. It is also highlighted that the archer has to be focused but relaxed.

PUTTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER, I am still trying to understand the shot cycle / routine based on the 10 basic steps:

3 PHASES & 4 CHECKPOINTS. The shot cycle / routine is divided into three phases: preparation, draw and execution. Four checkpoints are used for checking key points and requirements during the execution: set position, set-up position, full draw anchor and end of shot.

Breaking it down into three phases helps beginners understand the process of a shot. I do not want to have phases overlapping each other as I believe that may lead to confusion. Thus the three phases are not exactly the same as in the WA coaching manual.

Four checkpoints are of highest importance. At these time points archers will check if they are executing the shot well with reference to the key points and requirements. In some rare occasions it might be possible for the archer to make minor adjustments or corrections if aware that something is not done perfectly or up to standard. However it is always better to let down and restart from the beginning in case of something wrong.

BREATHING & RHYTHM connect the whole shot cycle.

The choice of breathing in or out during the shot cycle affects core muscles activation hence stability. In that way it affects the shooting form as a whole too. It will be extremely difficult to make changes after building up a habit, as the breath cycle is affecting every single part of the execution of the shot cycle.

In relation to the breath cycle, the last thing you want to do is let it be natural and comfortable. There is nothing good in doing so. It only implies that you are not aware of your routine and not being in control of it. The same applies to rhythm. Learning the rhythm at an early stage of learning is way better than attempting to make corrections after building up a routine.

ADVANCED SKILLS. Not all key points or requirements are fully explained by the 10 basic steps of the shot cycle / routine.

Some advanced skills, e.g. the use of clicker, are not for entry level archers and shall be introduced at a later stage. When the archer becomes better skilled, his shot cycle will need to be more detailed and become more complicated. Smooth transfer and connection between steps are needed to make the shot cycle / routine one, instead of being discrete steps or parts, e.g. expansion continuous after release till the end of shot. Brining the arrow point through the clicker is actually the start of follow through action. Muscles responsible for the action shall be kept working smoothly and in control till the end of shot.

SHOT CYCLE / ROUTINE. No matter which version is adopted, it shall be the framework for the archer to rely on when developing his skill.